"It was a couple of bad shots, a couple of poor decisions, a couple of mental errors, a few tentative putts.

“If someone had told me at the start of the year you’d finish third and second your first two events, I’d say, yeah, I’d take that. But being in the positions I’ve been in and having two close calls it’s a little difficult.

Rory McIlroy accepts Cristiano Ronaldo's challenge and shows him his best football skills

💰How to claim your FREE £30 bet💰

"But being in the positions I’ve been in and having two close calls the first couple of weeks of the year, it’s a little difficult. I think I wouldn’t — the competitor in me is very disappointed right now.

"I wanted to win. I always want to win, and I just didn’t do enough when I needed to.”

In the final reckoning Li finished 23 under on 265 with McIlroy carding 266.